Dodgers Call Up Top Prospect
Dodgers Promote Top Prospect Josue De Paula From Double-A To Replace Injured Shohei Ohtani
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Key Points
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Dave Roberts said Ohtani would likely benefit from roughly two weeks of rest, adding, “If it were a postseason game tomorrow, he would be in the lineup,” while cautioning that the slugger may not be fully healthy when he returns.
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The Dodgers’ roster move was expected to make Ohtani eligible to return as soon as Sept. 21, leaving six regular-season games after his earliest possible activation.
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De Paula’s offensive profile includes a 14.8% strikeout rate, a 15% overall miss rate and an in-zone miss rate below 9%, along with a 105 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity and a 111 mph maximum exit velocity.
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The call-up is unusual for Los Angeles: the Dodgers rarely promote a top prospect directly from Double-A, with Yasiel Puig’s promotion more than a decade ago cited as a notable precedent.
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The Dodgers entered the transition with an 11-game lead in the National League West but trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by 1½ games for the best overall record, a distinction that would determine home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted 21-year-old prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A Tulsa on Friday to replace Shohei Ohtani, who is heading to the injured list with knee, biceps and swing-related discomfort. Press Enterprise reported that manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani would likely benefit from roughly two weeks of rest, though he cautioned the slugger may not be fully healthy when he returns.
De Paula earned the call-up after hitting .303 with 27 home runs and a 145 wRC+ at Double-A Tulsa. CBS Sports noted the promotion is unusual for the Dodgers — the team rarely calls up a top prospect directly from Double-A, with Yasiel Puig's promotion more than a decade ago as the notable precedent.
A Prospect Ready for the Major Leagues
De Paula's offensive profile is elite. Press Enterprise reported the 21-year-old posted a 14.8% strikeout rate, a 15% overall miss rate and an in-zone miss rate below 9%. He also showed serious power: a 105 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity and a 111 mph maximum exit velocity.
The young outfielder impressed at the Futures Game, winning MVP honors with a 416-foot, three-run homer. Dodgers Beat said De Paula was stunned when he got the call to the majors, having been preparing for the final four games of Tulsa's regular season.
Ohtani's Timeline for Return
Roberts said that if postseason play began tomorrow, Ohtani would be in the lineup — but the team is taking no chances now. NBC Sports reported the roster move makes Ohtani eligible to return as soon as September 21, leaving six regular-season games after his earliest possible activation.
The Dodgers entered this stretch with an 11-game lead in the National League West. However, Press Enterprise noted they trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by 1½ games for the best overall record — a distinction that would secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
De Paula Gets His Moment in the Spotlight
De Paula will make his MLB debut as the designated hitter. The Olympian reported the Dodgers and Miami Marlins began a three-game series at LoanDepot Park on Friday, with De Paula in the lineup replacing injured left-handed hitters.
Mookie Betts knows De Paula from spring training and called him a good teammate. The Dodgers' superstar expressed excitement about seeing the prospect join the club as they pursue another championship run.
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